The Penn State women’s volleyball program held its seventh weekly media availability of the 2023 season Tuesday afternoon before practice at Rec Hall.

Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley and sophomore libero Gill Grimes answered questions ahead of the Nittany Lions’ home stand against Indiana and Ohio State Friday and Saturday night at Rec Hall. No. 14 Penn State (10-3, 4-0 Big Ten) will honor its 2008 and 2013 NCAA national championship teams this weekend.

Grimes, a Westchester, Illinois, native, played in front of many friends and family members during Penn State’s first Big Ten road match of the season, a sweep of Northwestern on September 24. The Chicagoland standout combined for 27 digs and 10 assists during a sweep of Illinois last Friday in Champaign and a 3-1 win over Minnesota last Saturday in Minneapolis. Grimes had a career-high four aces against the Golden Gophers.

Grimes leads the Nittany Lions with 147 digs (3.27 per set) through 13 matches, 46 more than outside hitter Jess Mruzik, who sits in second place on the team. Grimes also has 40 assists and 11 aces, showing off some impressive sets to Penn State’s attackers when the team gets out of system. Grimes took over the libero job this season and has stepped up as a vocal leader for the Nittany Lions.

Grimes and Penn State’s defense are holding their opponents to the second-fewest service aces per set among Big Ten teams, surrendering just 0.89. Nebraska currently leads the conference at 0.84. They are the only two Big Ten teams allowing fewer than 1.00 aces per set.

Grimes is one of the top liberos in the country from a statistical perspective. Data analyst Chad Gordon ranked Grimes as the No. 6 passer in Division I volleyball, regardless of position, when breaking down her performance in serve receive this season. The transcript of questions and answers from Grimes and Schumacher-Cawley’s Tuesday interviews can be found below.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley

What were some positives that you noticed during the Illinois win?

“I think the positive is that winning on the road is hard. I thought we competed hard and everyone contributed in both matches last weekend. I thought [versus] Illinois, we started serving more aggressively. Defensively, we did some good things. I think we just gutted out some points and found ways to win.”

Why do you think you guys were able to limit Raina Terry so much in that match?

“I thought we served tough. I think she’s a great player. She still got her kills, but I think that, for us, everyone was able to score. I think that just takes them out of it a little bit.”

As far as the Minnesota match goes, how important was it to get that win and see that kind of fight from your team?

“It’s huge. I think any win in this conference is a big win, especially on the road. We competed hard. I thought the entire group did a great job, from everyone on the floor to the players who were on the sidelines. Everyone knew what was going on and was ready to go in, so I was really proud of the entire group.”

How beneficial will that experience be moving forward?

“It’s great. Again, I think it’s beneficial if we continue to learn from some mistakes and get better. That’s the goal for us is to get better every week. I thought that was a good starting point for us for this week.”

Mac [Podraza] was Big Ten Setter of the Week. How have you seen her get better this season?

“I think Mac does a really good job of spreading the offense out. When we’re passing well, like I’ve said, she can move the ball around and find ways to score. I think she’s being way more aggressive, too. She’s getting better and better.”

Taylor [Trammell] and Jess [Mruzik] also had impressive matches against Minnesota. How important was that to the team’s success?

“I think they both work really hard. I think Taylor’s done a really good job of being available and not just blocking. She can score offensively as well. I think finding gaps in the block and being available and in the air for Mac, it made it easy for Mac to set her.”

How excited are you to be honoring the 2008 and 2013 championship teams this weekend? How valuable do you think it will be for your team to learn some lessons from them?

“It’s great. It’s an honor to be here at Penn State. It’s fun to see players come back and enjoy the atmosphere and meet the players here and share their experiences. I think any time you can have former players come back is super special. We have people come in and out throughout the season. I just think it’s great for our players to know that there are a lot of people who really care about them and about the program and want to see them be successful.”

Indiana’s Camryn Haworth is one of the best setters in the Big Ten and the conference’s top server. What stands out about her?

“She’s a competitor. She’s a great player. She’s a leader. I think they’re having a great season. I think Steve [Aird] and his staff have done a remarkable job with this group. I know they’ll be ready to play us. I’m happy we have a couple more days to prepare for both matches.”

What stands out to you about Steve [Aird]?

“I went to college with Steve. I love Steve dearly. He’s competitive. I think he’s great for the sport and brings it to a whole different level.”

What kind of challenges do you think Indiana will pose as a team?

“I think they’re one of the best serving teams in the conference. They compete hard. They find ways to win and they don’t back down. We have to be ready to go. We have to serve and pass well, and defend our home court.”

There was a bit of an uptick in production as far as serving goes against Minnesota. How pleased were you to see that?

“It’s something we talk about every day. I’m proud of the girls for getting in the gym on their own and working on their serve. It’s the skill that they control, from start to finish, getting in your routine and being aggressive and being comfortable. I think we’ve done a much better job of that, and it can still improve.”

What stands out to you about Ohio State’s team?

“They’re a very good team. I think their staff does a nice job. They compete hard. They don’t back down. Like every team in this conference, they want to win. Everyone has great players. We’ll just have to play our best game.”

What are some things that Emily Londot does particularly well?

“I think, like [Raina] Terry and Jess [Mruzik] and [Taylor] Landfair, she attacks well. She can attack all along the net, front row, back row. She hits a heavy ball. She’s aggressive. We’ll have to serve tough and play great defense.”

How would you assess the play of your defensive specialists lately?

“I think they’re doing a great job. I put a lot on those guys to be able to pass and have great effort on defense. I thought we did that last weekend. I think everyone’s getting pushed in practice, so that’s making every player in the gym that much better.”

How would you describe the camaraderie of this year’s team?

“I’m proud of them. I think that they’re great teammates. They want to see each other do well. I know everyone wants to play, and it’s hard for some people to not be playing all the time, but they understand that their time will come and they need to be ready to go. The level of competition in the gym every day is super great. I think it’s only going to help and get better as we keep moving on throughout the season.”

What stands out about Dan Gwitt as a coach?

“Dan’s great in the gym. He’s super competitive and he’s a true Penn Stater. I think he’ll do anything for this program to be successful.”

What does Brian Toron’s technical background bring to the team?

“Brian is such a student of the game and studies it all the time. He brings a lot of knowledge to the group. He does a lot of work with the setters. I’m lucky to have both of them and Megan [Hodge Easy] on staff.”

What kind of added element does Megan [Hodge Easy] bring to the staff given her background as a player?

“It’s been amazing to have Megan back in the gym. As an alum, she has great pride in Penn State volleyball and the university. She wants to see the team win and be successful. I think she’s really special in the gym and wants to help the girls. She brings a professional level of experience [with her playing career]. I’m very grateful for the staff that I have.”

How have you seen your sophomores, Alexa [Markley] and Gill [Grimes], improve over the course of the year?

“I think both of them have made great strides. I think Gill, last weekend, really found herself and was serving aggressively, was able to play the whole game, and is understanding the importance of being able to serve. Alexa is a high-flier who can score. I think blocking is one of her best skills. She needs to continue to work on being able to score as an attacker and to keep getting better defensively.”

What are some things that Cam [Hannah] has done to differentiate herself and earn extensive playing time?

“I think Cam’s had a couple really great back-to-back matches. If she’s not scoring offensively, she’s getting some big blocks for us. I think she’s finding her way and she’s getting better as the weeks go on. She’s being pushed in practice. I think that she understands the level of commitment and the daily work it takes to be at this level.”

What are some things that you want to see from your team moving forward at this midway point of the season?

“I want to see us keep getting better. I want to see us keep competing, to start over every week and learn from the good and the bad that we had, to improve and continue to hold each other accountable, keep winning, and to win at home. I think it’s just to grow and to get better as a group.”

There are five Penn State alums who are competing in the Athletes Unlimited pro league this season. How important is it to have a fall league and then some other leagues forming in this country as well?

“I think it’s great for the sport of volleyball. I think it’s amazing for our players that they can see that, and it’s something that they can realistically do if they don’t want to go overseas. There are opportunities to stay here if they want to play. I can’t wait for those leagues to start, because it will be so fun to see all of them play.”

Kash [Williams] is over in Greece right now. How excited are you for her to continue her pro career?

“I’m pumped. Kash is living her best life, and she’s really enjoying it. She fills me in on how she’s doing. She’s having a great experience. I’m so happy for her.”

Gill Grimes

You guys had some pretty impressive wins last weekend [over Illinois and Minnesota]. What do you think were the keys to those?

“Yeah, I think our team really started off strong, which was huge in how we played throughout the whole match.”

How important was that Minnesota win for the team’s confidence?

“Yeah, we didn’t have too [many] of those big wins earlier in the season, so that was a huge win for us, because now we know what we’re made of.”

The team looked better from the service line against Minnesota and you had four aces. What do you think has been going well for you there?

“I think just obviously getting it in the court and then trusting my team, if I get my serve over, that we can play defense around it.”

I heard Lina [Perugini] gives the team scouting notes on your opponents. How important is her influence?

“Lina’s a very big help, definitely in the backcourt, because even when I get off and am on the bench, she’s always giving me tips. That’s a really big help.”

Where have you seen Cassie [Kuerschen] improve her game?

“I think Cassie is a great player. She’s always diving and a very aggressive defensive player. She gets balls up. I think that’s a huge momentum starter, too, when she gets those crazy digs.”

Mac [Podraza] was Big Ten Setter of the Week. How important is her impact on the team?

“Mac’s great. She’s a great setter and she runs our offense very well. If I get the ball, I just try and pass it to her and see how it goes.”

Jess [Mruzik] and Taylor [Trammell] also had impressive performances against Minnesota. What do they bring to the team?

“They did a great job, and they do a great job all the time, especially in practice. My role is to pass the ball, so they can kill those balls.”

What are some things you admire about Kendall White?

“Kendall White is a great player. I admire her and look up to her a lot. She’s crazy and she makes plays that I don’t think a lot of people can. That’s why I look up to her. And her energy, too.”

What does it mean to you to play for Penn State given the legacy this program has?

“It’s been a dream since I was a little girl, so I’m trying not to take that for granted and just to create that legacy for our future, too.”

What are your first memories of watching Penn State volleyball on TV or in person?

“Definitely just watching Kendall White. I think I watched her the most, just because I’ve always been a libero. Looking up to her, seeing her win big matches, and getting crazy digs, that’s what I remember.”

What advice do you have for younger liberos on what it takes to succeed in college?

“I think just getting in the gym and having fun when you’re out on the court, because that will take you very far in this sport.”

What stands out to you about Alexa [Markley’s] game?

“Alexa’s great. She’s a momentum player. When she gets those big blocks, I’m the first one to cheer her on. I think she’s definitely going to be a big help for us this season.”

What impresses you about Anjelina [Starck’s] passing?

“Anje, I trust her a lot in passing. I know she’s going to get a dime when we need it. Having her out on the court takes a little [pressure] off of me, so it’s a big help.”

The program is going to honor its 2008 and 2013 championship teams this weekend. What do you think it will be like talking to them?

“I think that’s another dream of mine, too, just seeing those great volleyball players and seeing how they were once in my shoes playing here is a great thing. To honor them will be very cool.”

What are you looking forward to about this weekend in terms of playing Indiana and Ohio State?

“Definitely to see how our team competes again after the big wins last weekend. It will be exciting.”